"Th-That's not true!"
Elizabeth practically leaped up as if someone had stepped on her dragon tail. "This was a retreat for the sake of attacking! Can that even count as a retreat?! It was an attack!"
Then more incomprehensible nonsense about a singer's professional standards spilled from Elizabeth's mouth.
Rin silently watched her Servant make a fool of herself.
She had been completely played!
"It's only because I can't maintain this projection anymore! We haven't lost yet!"
Only then did Elizabeth realize it. After an awkward silence, she quickly adopted the same stance as Rin. "Right, we haven't lost!"
Rin's body faded further, nearly disappearing from sight. Then she threw out a parting threat. "But the real battle has only just begun. This is only one-quarter of me. Something at this level doesn't even hurt. The next time we meet, I'll wipe you all out! Disappearing here is merely a concession on my part, not because of you! Lancer, let's go!"
"Right, Rin, let's go!" Elizabeth nodded and made as if to retreat.
Shirou could not help but jab at them. "So in the end, you're still running away?"
Elizabeth stopped, falling silent for a moment.
Then she ran even faster, utterly lacking a hero's dignity—every bit as shameless as Shirou himself.
Seeing Elizabeth already approaching the speed of light, Shirou decisively gave up on pursuing her.
"Let's pack up and head back. Get some rest." Shirou listlessly put away his twin blades, his eyes drooping as he sighed.
This was not the outcome he had wanted from the battle.
"Even though we won, Archer doesn't look happy at all?" Hakuno poked the ticklish spot on Shirou's lower back.
Shirou shot her a look after being poked. "We could have kept Lancer here. That would've made dealing with Rin much